Removal of ballot papers from polling stations to be an offence.

32. Removal of ballot papers from polling stations to be an offence. - (1) Any person who at any election fraudulently takes, or attempts to ta ke, a ballot paper out of a polling station or willfully aids or abets the doing of such act, shall, on conviction, be punished with imprisonment for a term which mat extend to one year or with fine or with both. (2) If the presiding officer of a polling station has reason to believe that any person is committing or has committed an offence punishable under sub -section (1), such officer may, 59 before such person leaves the polling station, arrest or direct a police officer to arrest such person and may searc h such person or cause him to be searched by a police officer: Provided that when it is necessary to cause a woman to be searched, the search shall be made by another woman with strict regard to decency. (3) Any ballot paper found upon the person arreste d on search shall be made over for safe custody to a police officer by the presiding officer, or when the search is made by a police officer , shall be kept by such officer in safe custody. (4) An offence punishable under sub -section (1) shall be cognizab le.